No Going Back: Flint EM says city will not reconnect with Detroit water

Flint's emergency manager says he will not approve a return to Detroit's water system, even though the city's switch to using water from the Flint River has been rife with problems.

Flint Emergency Manager Darnell Earley

Credit Steve Carmody / Michigan Radio

Flint ditched its water contract with Detroit, and began using water from the Flint River instead this spring. Complaints surfaced early on about the water's taste.

Then the city received a violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act because of high levels of chemicals in the water. But Emergency Manager Darnell Early says the city can't afford to go back to Detroit.

Instead, Flint will hire outside water treatment experts. Long-term, the city will use water from a new pipeline to Lake Huron. The project is slated to finish next year.

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Flint city leaders are trying to quell concerns about the safety of the city’s water.

Concerns were raised last year by a string of water advisories, along with complaints of discolored, smelly water flowing from home faucets.

This week, Flint residents received notices that their water system violated the Safe Drinking Water Act. Tests conducted last year revealed a higher an acceptable level of trihalomethane or THM. THM is a byproduct of the chlorination process.